American School of Lutherie

 

 

CONTEMPORARY GUITAR MAKING October 4 - 8 (FULL)   CONTEMPORARY GUITAR MAKING is a comprehensive overview of the entire field of modern lutherie. This unique five day seminar will have a lasting impact on the depth and breadth of your understanding as you build guitars, whether you're an experienced luthier or just beginning. See Course Description for details.

 

 

SMALL SHOP PRODUCTION December 6 - 10 SMALL SHOP PRODUCTION shows how to increase your output by adapting the most useful jigs, fixtures, dedicated work stations and other versatile, easily made devices, along with professional workflow concepts, to your own guitar making situation and intentions. See Course Description for details.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HANDS-ON GUITAR MAKING Aug. 30 - Sept. 11 (FULL) Oct. 18 - 30, steel string (one spot left) Electric Guitar Feb. 14 - 26 HANDS-ON GUITAR MAKING teaches professional methods and techniques used by today's successful luthiers. Spend two high-energy weeks learning the craft as you build your own guitar in a setting designed to maximize both your learning and the quality of your work. See Course Description for details.

 

 

ADVANCED DESIGN FEATURES Dates TBA ADVANCED DESIGN FEATURES is a five day in-depth study of the double tops, beveled arm-rests, compound cutaways, adjustable necks, sound ports, and other popular new design features found on today's high-end hand-made guitars. Learn to understand and incorporate these features when you build your next guitar. See Course Description for details.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WELCOME TO ASL

Greetings, Charles Fox here. Thanks for your interest in the American School of Lutherie. For almost 40 years it's been my pleasure to teach the craft of guitar making and offer my best council to folks seeking to learn how to make guitars. With so many schools to choose among today, I've included a page of advice on SELECTING A SCHOOL, which I hope you'll find useful. _____________________________________________________

NEW! -- HANDS-ON ELECTRIC GUITAR MAKING
Custom solid body electric guitars have become an exciting new art form in the hands of inspired luthiers.  In this 2-week intensive workshop you'll design and create the killer solid body guitar you've always imagined.   Your hand made instrument will be completely finished, electronics installed, perfectly set up, and ready to play.  This is not a kit building class.   It's an introduction to no-compromise guitar making.   Working from raw materials, you'll learn an efficient, systematic method for making professional quality electric guitars, with no expensive specialized equipment.  Get on the list, details coming soon!
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ASL is the original and longest established school for luthiers
in North America. Since 1973 many hundreds of beginning
and experienced craftspeople have passed through our doors, learning valuable skills and gaining powerful insights into this challenging work. We've introduced the craft to many of today's established luthiers and guided more experienced builders to new levels of mastery. Along the way we've developed the basic learning model and teaching formats used by guitar making classes everywhere.

We specialize in intensive, short-term, full-immersion classes designed for busy working adults - beginners and experienced guitar makers for whom long-term study isn't an option. One-week seminars and two-week hands-on workshops offer a choice of learning experiences that provide a strong foundation for contnuing work on your own. Classes are small, the environment is friendly and stimulating. We have a good time sharing information, and you'll likely make a friend or two to stay in touch with and compare notes as you move forward on your own.

The currently scheduled classes are posted on this page. To keep our lives flexible for guitar production, travel, etc, we set class dates 3-4 months prior to each class, Check this page periodically for schedule updates.

You'll find class details in the COURSE DESCRIPTIONS section and answers to your most frequently asked questions on the FAQ page. Please email, or feel free to call us, with any questions or comments. We'll be happy to chat with you in person.